Hanger support bar for garment packing case



Nov. 26, 1963 H. FlELD ETAL HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1962 INVENTORS RY FIELD Joe FIELD HAR Nov. 26, 1963 H. FIELD ETAL 3,112,027

HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Filed May 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HARRY FIELD Joe FIELD United States Patent 3,112,027 HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Harry Field and Joe Field, both of 2339 S. La Salle St, Chicago, Ill. Filed May 2, 1962, Ser. No. 191,990 10 Claims. (Cl. ass-7 This invention relates in general to containers for the shipping and storage of hanger supported garments and the like, and, more particularly, to an improved hanger support bar for such a container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Serial No. 749,125, filed July 17, 1958, now Patent No. 3,035,688, which is, in turn, a continua-tion-in-part of our application, Serial No. 544,774, filed November 3, 1955, and now Patent No. 3,003,617, issued October 10, 1961. i

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support bar for a garment packing case, which support bar receives the hooked ends of the garment hangers so as to retain the garment hangers, with the garments thereon, Within the packing case in a manner that reduces the possibility of the garments becoming wrinkled.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar that has end brackets for mounting the bar on the upper ends of opposite walls of the packing case, and wherein the brackets will reinforce those upper ends.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar which includes a garment-hanger supporting member that spans the space between the end brackets and is permanently secured thereto at outwardly struck tongues that are formed on the bracket.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hanger support bar which secures the hook ends of the garment hangers in place so that if the packing case is upended or tilted, the hook ends will not turn or become separated from the support bar.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment packing case which embodies the improved hanger support bar, eliminating the use of a garment retaining insert of the type that bears against the shoulders of the garments in the carton.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment packing case embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the hanger support bar of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 33 and 4-4 respectively of FIG. 1 but with the case closed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of hanger support bar of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view like FIG. 5 but showing the hanger support bar of FIG. 6.

Referring now in more detail and by the reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates preferred enibodiments of the present invention, 1 designates a garment packing case which may, by way of example, be of a type shown in our copending application, Serial No. 749,125, now Patent No. 3,035,688. The garment packing case 1 is formed from a single blank of suitable heavy corrugated fiberboard, or the like, which is cut and scored according to predetermined design, such as to facilitate folding thereof into the rectilinear carton or case shown in FIG. 1. The case .1 includes opposed side walls 3, 5 which have top flaps 7, 9 inturned against the associated side wall to form double thickness side wall top portions. Joining the corresponding vertical margins of the side walls .3, 5 is a back wall 11 which has a top flap 13 adapted to be folded downwardly against the top edges 14, 16 of the side walls 3, 5. The front wall of the case 1 includes an upturned door sill 15 and a door 17, the latter being swingable about a vertical axis to any desired open position, as to the indicated open position in FIG. 1, to afford unrestricted access to the container through a front opening 19. The door sill 15 may be secured to a short side wall flange 21 by staples 23. The door 17 also has a top flap 25 of the same size and for the same purpose as the top flap 13. The bottom of the case 1 may be closed by bottom flaps 27, 29 which extend from the lower margins of the door sill 15 and back wall 11, respectively.

Provided for removable mounting on the double thickness side wall top portions is a garment hanger bar 31 which is preferably formed of a suitable heavy gauge sheet metal. The bar 31 comprises an inverted channel member 33 having a rectangular bight 35 for engagement by the hook ends e of garment hangers h, and spaced parallel depending legs 37, 39. Suitably secured to the ends of the channel 33 are brackets 41, 43, each of which is of inverted U-shape in transverse section. The brackets 41, d3 include bights 45, 47 and spaced parallel depending legs 49, 51, 53, 55. Downwardly from the bights 45, 47, the bracket legs 51, 53 are formed with outwardly struck tongues 57, 59, e1, 63 (leaving a plurality of openings 65), that fit fiush against and are welded at a plurality of spots 67 to the inside faces of the legs 37, 39.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the overall length of the bar 31 is predetermined with regard to the spacing of the side walls 3, 5, so that the bar 31 will span the side walls 3, 5 with the brackets 41, 43 seated in embracing rclation to the side wall top portions and bearing against the side wall top edges. The bar 31 is substantially centered on the side walls 3, 5 and not only aifords the mounting support for the book ends (2 of the garment hangers h, but serves in addition, to rigidity and strengthen the container. This latter function is facilitated by making the brackets 41, 43 of such size that each has a relatively large seating contact area with its associated side wall, particularly over the side wall top edges.

Welded to and projecting through and upwardly from the channel bight 35 are threaded studs 71, 73 which are adapted to project through holes 75, 77 in a retainer or clamping strip 79. The clamping plate 79' is of a length substantially equal to that of the channel 33 and is adapted to overlie the book ends e of the hangers h. The clamping strip 79 has downwardly and outwardly projecting flanges 81, 33 which extend laterally beyond either side of the legs 37, 39 for engagement with the hook ends of the hangers. Wing nuts 85, 87 may be threaded onto the studs 71, 73 to secure the strip 79 in clamping position over the hanger ends.

With the garment packing case 1 set up as shown in FIG. 1, the hanger bar 31 is mounted in place. The wing nuts 65, 87 and the clamping strip 79 are removed so that hanger supported garments g such as suits, dresses, and the like, may be inserted through the opening 19 into the ease, and the hook ends of the hanger placed on the top of the channel 33. When the desired number of garments, within or up to the capacity of the container, have been hung therein, the clamping strip 79 is replaced and the wing nuts 85, 87 tightened to secure the hook ends e between the clamping strip 79 and channel 3. Then the door 19 may be closed to bring it coplanar with the door sill 15, where upon the top flaps 13, 25 may be closed by bringing them downwardly against the side wall top edges and the bights 45, 47 of the brackets 41, 43. Then the case 1 may be sealed with suitable sealing tape 91.

The clamping strip 79 will lie below the plane of the top wall side edges 14, 16 and also below the bracket bights 45, 47 so as not to interfere with the closing of the top flaps 13, 25 or cause a bulge at the top to the closed case. The clamping strip 79 retains the hook ends in place, preventing the hangers from swinging or turning should the case 1 be upended or tilted during handling thereof. This assists in preventing the garments from becoming wrinkled. When the case 1 is subsequently opened, the wing nuts and clamping strip 79 may be easily removed to permit the hook ends of the hangers to be withdrawn from the bar 33. The clamping strip 79 and wing nuts may be replaced whereupon the hook ends of the hangers may be temporarily supported on the top of the clamping strip 79.

A modified form of hanger bar is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same parts as in FIGS. 1-5. In the modified hanger bar, the studs 71, 73, wing nuts 85, 87 and the holes 75, 77 in the clamping strip 79 are eliminated. To secure the clamping strip 79 removably to the channel 33 a plurality of clamping springs 90, 90 are used. Each spring 90 is a generally U-shaped band end extends over the top of the clamping strip 79 and has arcuate arms 91, 93 extending downwardly adjacent to the legs 37, 39 of the channel 33, terminating in ends 95, 97 that are adapted to hook under the legs 37, 39.

The springs 90 hold the clamping strip 79 and channel 33 together when the channel 33 is free of garment hangers 12. When it is desired to place garment hangers on the channel 33, one of the ends, for example 97, is grasped and pulled away from the associated channel leg 39, at the same time pushing the central part of the spring arm 91 toward the channel leg. This tends to straighten the arm 91 enabling the end 97 to clear the bottom edge of the leg 39, whereupon the spring 90 may be removed.

After garment hangers it have been placed on the channel 33, the clamping strip 79 is placed over the hangers, as shown in FIG. 7. The arms 91, 93 of each spring are then spread apart a sufficient amount to clear the flanges 81, 83 whereupon the arms are released. Then by pressing inwardly on the arms 91, 93 the ends 95, 97 may be made to hook under the bottom edges of the legs 37, 39 at which time the arms 91, 93 may be released. The forces of the spring 90 firmly retain the clamping strip 79 in place to secure the garment hanger hooks e to the chan nel 33. The springs 90 preferably lie at or below the top plane of the side wall top edges aof the case so as not to interfere with closing thereof.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes we have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being rnerely illustrative of the principles of the invention.

What is considered new and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, and a member spanning the space between the brackets and adapted to support the hook ends of garment hangers, the tongues of the brackets fitting flush against the member and being permanently and rigidly secured thereto.

2. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, and an inverted U-shaped member spanning the space between the brackets, the bight of said member constituting the top thereof and being adapted to support the hook ends of garment hangers, the tongues of the brackets fitting flush against the legs of the member and being permanently and rigidly secured thereto, the bight of the member being spaced downwardly from the bights of the brackets, a retainer overlying the top of the member and engaging the garment hooks, and means for removably securing the retainer to the member.

3. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising inverted U-shaped end brackets adapted to embrace the upper ends of opposed walls of the packing case, each said end bracket having a pair of spaced tongues outwardly struck from one leg thereof, a member spanning the space between the brackets, the tongues of the brackets fitting against the member, said member having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, a retainer overlying the top of the member and having depending flanges engaging said hook ends, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member -to clamp the book ends between the retainer and top of the member.

4. In a garment packing case, a body having front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flaps of the 'back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, inverted U-shaped end brackets at the ends of the member embracing the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and said top.

5. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of a fiberboard blank providing, front, back and opposite side Walls each having .top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side Walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, means at the ends of the member engaging the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, said retainer having side flanges directed toward the interior of the body and engaging the hook ends, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and the top of said member.

6. A garment packing case according to claim 5 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a plurality of spring-like bands embracing the member and retainer and secured to one of the two.

7. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising end brackets for supportingengagement with opposed walls of the packing case, a member spanning the space between the brackets and being rigidly secured to each and having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, a retainer overlying the top of the member for disposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the retainer and embracing said member and having end portions releasably hooking under the member to hold the member and retainer in assembled relationship.

8. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support bar comprising end brackets for supportingengagement with opposed walls of the packing case, a member spanning the space between the brackets and being rigidly secured to each and having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends of garment hangers, the top of the member being downwardly from the tops of the brackets, a retainer overlying the top of the member for disposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the retainer and embracing said member and having arcuate sides spaced from the adjacent sides of the member, said sides terminating in ends that hook under the member and hold the latter and retainer in assembled relationship when the arcuate sides are pressed together a sufiicient amount to urge said ends under the member.

9. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of a fiberboard blank providing, front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an upper portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to 'form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top en-gageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, inverted U-shaped brackets at the ends of the members embracing the double thickness side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped spring bands overlying the hanger retainer and embracing the member and having end portions releasably hooking under the member to hold the retainer against the hook ends of the garment hangers.

10. In a garment packing case, a body foldable out of fiberboard blank material to provide front, back and opposite side walls each having top flaps, said front wall having a lower portion between side walls and defining therewith a front opening aifording access to the body interior, the front wall further having an uppor portion constituting a door movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wall top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being in-turned thereagainst forming a double side wall top portion, the top flaps of the back wall and door being foldable against the top edges of the side walls to form a top closure for the container body, the combination with a hanger support bar extending between the side walls below the top closure, said bar having a member with a top engageable by the book ends of garment hangers, brackets at the ends of the member and engaging the side wall top portions and supporting the top of the member inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, a hanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging garment hooks thereon, and means for removably attaching the retainer to the member to clamp the hook ends between the retainer and said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,640 Hirsch Dec. 17, 1889 1,995,335 Wilke Mar. 26, 1935 2,215,695 Ginsberg Sept. 24, 1940 2,276,569 Fried Mar. '17, 1942 2,685,962 Druth Aug. 10, 1954 2,7 8,388 Fish Apr. 16, 1957 2,822,093 Graci Feb. 4, 1958 

5. IN A GARMENT PACKING CASE, A BODY FOLDABLE OUT OF A FIBERBOARD BLANK PROVIDING, FRONT, BACK AND OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS EACH HAVING TOP FLAPS, SAID FRONT WALL HAVING A LOWER PORTION BETWEEN SIDE WALLS AND DEFINING THEREWITH A FRONT OPENING AFFORDING ACCESS TO THE BODY INTERIOR, THE FRONT WALL FURTHER HAVING AN UPPER PORTION CONSTITUTING A DOOR MOVABLE TO AND FROM A CLOSED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID FRONT OPENING, SAID FRONT WALL TOP FLAP BEING ON SAID DOOR, THE TOP FLAP OF EACH SIDE WALL BEING INTURNED THEREAGAINST FORMING A DOUBLE THICHNESS SIDE WALL TOP PORTION, THE TOP FLAPS OF THE BACK WALL AND DOOR BEING FOLDABLE AGAINST THE TOP EDGES OF THE SIDE WALLS TO FORM A TOP CLOSURE FOR THE CONTAINER BODY, THE COMBINATION WITH A HANGER SUPPORT BAR EXTENDING BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS BELOW THE TOP CLOSURE, SAID BAR HAVING A MEMBER WITH A TOP ENGAGEABLE BY THE HOOK ENDS OF GARMENT HANGERS, MEANS AT THE ENDS OF THE MEMBER ENGAGING THE SIDE WALL TOP PORTIONS AND SUPPORTING THE TOP OF THE MEMBER INWARDLY OF THE BODY FROM THE PLANE OF THE SIDE WALL TOP EDGES, A HANGER RETAINER FOR OVERLYING THE TOP OF THE MEMBER AND ENGAGING GARMENT HOOKS THEREON, SAID RETAINER HAVING SIDE FLANGES DIRECTED TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF THE BODY AND ENGAGING THE HOOK ENDS, AND MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING THE RETAINER TO THE MEMBER TO CLAMP THE HOOK ENDS BETWEEN THE RETAINER AND THE TOP OF SAID MEMBER. 